Why do men have buttons on the right and women on the left? Why are the buttons on women's clothing on the left, and on men's on the right? The clasp on the left side is male or female

Everyone has heard from childhood that there are differences between the location of the clasp in men's and women's clothing. How do you know which side is "female" and which side is "male"? And where did these differences come from?

By all rules, buttons and zippers in women's wardrobe items take place on the left side. And no one can say for sure why this happened. There are several versions of this. But all of them are unproven and have no basis. Although some of them have a share common sense. For example:

• for the convenience of feeding, when a woman could open her breasts, holding the baby with her left hand, and covering him with the hem of her clothes from the cold with her right;
• another assumption claims that this was done so that the shirts could not be confused. When the female gender began to wear men's clothing, trendsetters decided to make the location of the fastener a distinctive feature;
• some sources state that the woman went to the market holding a grocery basket in her right hand or a child. And to get a wallet with money that hung around her neck, it was more convenient for her left.

Why such differences with menswear?

During the Middle Ages, when buttons were used as decoration or jewelry, only ladies from high society could afford them. Since they were made of precious stones and metals. And, of course, noble persons should not dress themselves. For this they had maids, which it was more convenient to do this, grasping the button with the right hand and pushing it into the loop with the left. Representatives of the stronger sex most often dressed on their own, and it was easier for them to button up with their right hand.

According to another version, it was believed that at the time of a duel or battle, a man could quickly grab a weapon from his bosom and get ahead of an opponent in battle.

But in Ancient Russia, the shirt-kosovorotka worn by men was fastened on the left side. Military gymnasts until the middle of the twentieth century also had buttons on the left shelf.

Generally, in modern world little by little these boundaries are blurred. Jeans, shorts, trousers have already been produced by the clothing industry without gender characteristics. They were joined by polo shirts, shirts, outerwear. With the development of feminism, stereotypes are being destroyed more and more every day. And the most stylish ladies choose fashion items in the men's departments of the store.

For men and women's things buttons are located on different floors. You put on a guy's shirt, reach for the usual fastener, and the buttons are located on the other side. Yes, and the thing is fastened in the opposite direction. Unusual, uncomfortable, but there's nothing to be done. Why this is done - let's figure it out together.

Strict differences in fastening buttons can be observed not only on shirts. There are also buttons on opposite floors of coats, jackets, cardigans and other similar things. On objects women's wardrobe buttons are on the left. Accordingly, the thing smells on left side. AT men's clothing everything is exactly the opposite: buttons are placed on the right side, and the item fastens on the right side. You can remember the differences with the following phrase: “a man has such a smell that he can get a dagger from under his clothes with his right hand.”

Important! It is interesting that differences are observed not only in the case of buttons, but also with lightning. The tongue on men's clothes is on the right side.

Why are these differences with women's clothing necessary?

There are several versions of why men fasten things to the left. All of them are "rooted" in ancient times and are more guesses than proven facts. However, each of them has the right to exist. For example:

At the moment, all versions are far in the past. Now the location of the buttons on the right on men's things is a tribute to tradition, and not an obligatory element of the structure of clothing.

The world is filled with funny and inexplicable things. We get used to them, we perceive them as unconditional. Meanwhile, they have their own history and explanation.

One of these mysterious patterns is closely related to clothing. The items of men's and women's clothing only seem to be the same. However, if you look closely, the arrangement of buttons, fasteners and even recesses is invariably versatile. Interestingly, other wardrobe items - scarves and neckerchiefs - are tied and wrapped around by men from right to left, and by women - vice versa.

Logic dictates that the fastener on men's clothing - from left to right - is more convenient. This is true for at least 85% of people who are right-handed. Their right hand is much better developed. This is typical for both men and women. The hypothesis that there are more left-handers among the fair sex did not materialize.

In addition, women instinctively take and hold the child at the left breast. Accordingly, it is easier to wrap up the right hollow clothes - it is this hand that is less busy. The idea is supported by scientific research into sex differences in brain asymmetry. That is, the way women fasten clothes from left to right can be explained from the point of view of physiology. However, this theory is now being questioned.

Other theories explain the location of buttons on people's clothes not only by gender differences, but also by a person's religion. For example, according to Muslim customs, men's clothes should be different from women's clothes. Religion shapes the thinking and habits of a person, its influence could also affect this detail of clothing.

There is a version that justifies the location of the buttons from the point of view of military affairs. The fact is that an armed man in the cold season was obliged to warm his right hand under the left hollow of the camisole, because this is the key to a quick reaction and a well-aimed shot! Therefore, his buttons should be located on the right.

Buttons came into active use in Europe in the 13th century. The medieval way of cutting made it possible to wear tight-fitting clothes. A high social position obliged people to have many fasteners on it. They were made of expensive metals and ivory and inlaid precious stones. Since then, buttons have turned from a purely functional element of clothing into a luxurious accessory.

If men preferred to dress themselves, then the women's robes of aristocrats required help when dressing. Of course, simple peasant women fastened themselves - lacing was always located in front, they were not supposed to wear heavy skirts and crinolines. And noble ladies always dressed with the help of maids, who were more convenient to fasten the buttons located on the left.

And finally the latest version this issue... In women, the location of the buttons on the left side is explained by the fact that ... it is easier for men to unbutton the buttons of ladies in this way)))

Today, women do without outside help, but the tradition has remained. Thanks to it, even in complete darkness, by touch, you can determine the gender of the owner of a coat or jacket.

There are three main versions that explain why men and women fasten their clothes on different sides:

1. The custom of sewing fasteners on the left side of women's clothing comes from the Middle Ages. Then buttons in Europe served as decoration and were made of precious metals. Made of gold, silver and ivory, they symbolized wealth and a high position in society. Only the nobles could afford such a luxury. It was not customary for noble ladies in those days to dress themselves, they were helped by maids. For the convenience of the servants, the buttons were located on the right, but in relation to the fastener. On clothes, they were sewn on the left.

Men, even of a noble family, more often dressed themselves, and therefore it was easier for them to fasten the buttons on the right. In addition, European aristocrats in those days often had to fight. And if necessary, an armed man had the opportunity to warm his right hand, in which he held a weapon, under the left hollow garment.

2. According to another version, buttons were sewn on from different sides, so that women's and Men's shirts could not be confused.

3. There is a third version, according to which it is more convenient for nursing mothers to hold babies with their left hand and feed with their left breasts so that their right hand remains free for other things. At the same time, the child could be covered from the cold with the right hollow clothing.

On which side were buttons sewn in Russia?

In the times of Ancient Russia, a men's shirt-kosovorotka was fastened on the left side. Until the first half of the 20th century, gymnasts were also fastened to the left.